501.BC Kashmir/10–1248: Telegram
The United States Representative on the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (Huddle) to the Acting Secretary of State
1383. Comkas 54. Kascom 37 Deptel 1408 to Geneva 1359 [13911], to Geneva.
Material information requested by Department mostly contained Huddle’s October 11 No. 265 to Paris repeated Department 1374 October 11. The Commission is working with regularity on report which will be completed ready for Commission in interim phase. Commission does not regard report as final and expects either to be able to take some positive action on its own initiative at later date or as result further consideration by SC which might possibly find it possible issue instructions depending on developments.
Commission considers that Indo-Pakistan troubles are such as could best be solved by negotiations India and Pakistan but believes its services might be useful in ultimate solution Kashmir problem since notwithstanding original coolness both governments, Commission did succeed in winning certain amount confidence both Karachi and Delhi in its explorations Kashmir problem.
Consequently if, in conversations with General Marshall Paris and Prime Minister Attlee at London, Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan could be prevailed upon to agree to general plebiscite in Jammu-Kashmir to be held under control of UN agency, I believe Commission could appropriately [Page 429] assume task or be delegated thereto. Plebiscite administrator with powers envisaged by SC in its April 21 resolution would naturally have full powers for administrative tasks, but should be agent of Commission rather than of Secretary General of UN. This however is speculative and it seems that no steps can be taken with any certainty until temper of India and Pakistan Prime Minister has been ascertained in London and Paris.
Commission is desirous of having benefit of independent and hitherto unprejudiced appraisal of Pakistan and India attitudes to support or correct its own convictions and is awaiting with grave interest results of expected conversations.
Would prefer not speculate relative desirability SC action under Chapters VI or VII UN Charter pending outcome these negotiations. Adams however discussed this matter last week with GADel which also was of opinion this subject should be deferred.
Have forwarded by airmail complete text Nehru’s telegram replying to Liaquat Ali Khan’s telegram of October 3 (Karachi 483). In his reply, Nehru said his telegram of September 27 “was designed explore possibility solution problem by direct negotiation” between India and Pakistan. It will be recalled that Nehru had given negative reply to Commission when Commission asked whether he would agree to negotiations with Pakistan (Comkas 422). Notwithstanding this negative reply, I had feeling that Nehru’s telegram dated September 27 gave opening to Pakistan and it was that which prompted last paragraph Comkas 513 in which I suggested possible reply by Liaquat Ali Khan. Perhaps it is not too late for Pakistan to admit misinterpretation Nehru’s first telegram and accept his proffer negotiations.
Repeated Paris 270, London 112.